Toured With Lily Langtrey

Radio Record, 15 July 1938, Page 39

Toured With Lily Langtrey

A Melbourne violinist who toured America in 1916 with Lily Langtry when the famous actress and Edwardaian heauty made her final public appearanee, is Cecil Parkes, leader of the instrumental trio of that name, and "The Strad Players." Both these ensembles are heard often in broadcasts from 3LO, and their energetic leader is kept busy writing special arrangements in what time he has free from the strenuous round of conducting the Atheneum Theatre Orchestra daily. Also members of the Langtry company were Lynne Fontaine and Alfred: ~ Lunt, who appear. in "The Guards- | man," and Genevieve Tobin ~and- her sister, Vivienne, Wily Langtry was appearing in one-act Barrie plays throughout the States, and Mr. Parkes was presenting the first half uf the programme with a singer and a pianist. At that time Miss Langtry was in her seventies, yet looked a well-preserved woman of nO. Mr, Parkes recalls how, no matter ‘vhat the circumstances, she never failed to walk three miles. each morning. and he attributes her splendid poise and freshness:to this fact. She neyer sed make-up, even on. the stage. .